New HD-DVD players in Europe coming soon...

Johannes S · 09-01-2006, 09:15 AM

(in german)

http://www.areadvd.de/news/2006/IFA_...D-DVD_02.shtml

http://www.areadvd.de/news/2006/IFA_...a_HD-DVD.shtml

The HD-E1 priced at 599 EURO will launch in November, and the HD-XE1 (899 EURO) two weeks later. The HD-XE1 features for the first time 1080p and HDMI 1.3.

Seth=L · 09-01-2006, 09:19 AM

I want one.

Tim Glover · 09-01-2006, 10:16 AM

Certainly has a slimmer profile...but still looks classy. Very cool that more players are coming out and no doubt more players will drive more sales of software.

Sam Davatchi · 09-01-2006, 12:48 PM

Good news for us. But still a long time to wait!

Frank@N · 09-01-2006, 02:43 PM

How long till we (USA) get the HD-XE1?

**HTF Ads**

Ken_F · 09-03-2006, 04:57 AM

Frank,

We'll know more at CEDIA in two weeks.

If I were a betting man, I would plan on seeing the E1 model in late October or early November at $399-$499. I know Toshiba wants its out before the PS3. I'm sure Toshiba would like to get the XE1 out before December, but I would be surprised if that happens, considering how tight the supply is on HDMI 1.3 parts.

The HD-E1 and HD-XE1 are not really second-generation players, however, they will feature a number of improvements over the A1 product. Forthcoming improvements you won't see on the spec sheet:

Instead of an Intel P4M 2.5GHz, they'll use a faster and cooler-running Intel Core Duo -- the same dual-core chip found in current Mac notebooks. This improves responsiveness and enables the lower profile design.
They'll have a new HD-DVD ROM drive with faster access times -- DVDs and HD-DVDs will load faster as a result.
Other logic board changes to speed loading of the software.

Basically, these will be faster + slimmer versions of the current Toshiba A1 HD-DVD design. The software should be the same. As far as video and sound quality, I wouldn't expect any difference between the A1 and the E1. The E1 will feature a newer HDMI 1.2a part, which should improve display compatibility.

Do note, however, the the HD-E1 lacks 5.1 analog outputs, and thus you would need a receiver with HDMI 1.1 or later to experience Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD, and True-HD 5.1 from that product. Only the [current] A1 and the XE1 have 5.1 analog outputs.

The XE1 features a 12-bit/297MHz video DAC for those who rely on component output, HDMI 1.3 with "deep color" support, 5.1 analog outputs, optical and coaxial digital outputs, and a high-performance "I/P Converter & Scaler" to upconvert DVD to 1080p and deinterlace HD-DVD to 1080p for output over HDMI. Toshiba says the scaler/deinterlacer in the XE1 should match or exceed the performance of third-party 1080p solutions costing thousands of dollars. Price unknown but I would guess US$799 MSRP.

Note: This information could be out of date.

Sam Davatchi · 09-03-2006, 08:45 AM

That's too bad that HD-E1 lacks 5.1 analog outputs. My receiver has no HDMI input. If I buy a receiver with HDMI input, the audio is still decoded in the player, right?

And also can I switch between audio and video independently? I mean I want the video of HDMI 1 input and the audio of HDMI 2. Is that possible?

Robert_Zohn · 09-03-2006, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken_F

Frank,

We'll know more at CEDIA in two weeks.

If I were a betting man, I would plan on seeing the E1 model in late October or early November at $399-$499. I know Toshiba wants its out before the PS3. I'm sure Toshiba would like to get the XE1 out before December, but I would be surprised if that happens, considering how tight the supply is on HDMI 1.3 parts.

The HD-E1 and HD-XE1 are not really second-generation players, however, they will feature a number of improvements over the A1 product. Forthcoming improvements you won't see on the spec sheet:

Instead of an Intel P4M 2.5GHz, they'll use a faster and cooler-running Intel Core Duo -- the same dual-core chip found in current Mac notebooks. This improves responsiveness and enables the lower profile design.
They'll have a new HD-DVD ROM drive with faster access times -- DVDs and HD-DVDs will load faster as a result.
Other logic board changes to speed loading of the software.

Basically, these will be faster + slimmer versions of the current Toshiba A1 HD-DVD design. The software should be the same. As far as video and sound quality, I wouldn't expect any difference between the A1 and the E1. The E1 will feature a newer HDMI 1.2a part, which should improve display compatibility.

Do note, however, the the HD-E1 lacks 5.1 analog outputs, and thus you would need a receiver with HDMI 1.1 or later to experience Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD, and True-HD 5.1 from that product. Only the [current] A1 and the XE1 have 5.1 analog outputs.

The XE1 features a 12-bit/297MHz video DAC for those who rely on component output, HDMI 1.3 with "deep color" support, 5.1 analog outputs, optical and coaxial digital outputs, and a high-performance "I/P Converter & Scaler" to upconvert DVD to 1080p and deinterlace HD-DVD to 1080p for output over HDMI. Toshiba says the scaler/deinterlacer in the XE1 should match or exceed the performance of third-party 1080p solutions costing thousands of dollars. Price unknown but I would guess US$799 MSRP.

Excellent information. However, I see the US version of the HD-E1 having a MAP of $499, but we are all pushing for $399. and the US version of the HD-XE1 selling for $999.

Delivery I expect is End of October for the HD-E1 and sometime in December for the HD-XE1.

I will be at CEDIA and plan on posting information on the USA models from the show floor.

-Robert

Ken_F · 09-03-2006, 12:32 PM

Looks like the US versions will carry the names of HD-A2 and HD-XA2 instead of HD-E1 and HD-XE1. Differences between the European and U.S. versions? Response below from Amir Majidimehr, Corporate Vice President, Consumer Media Technology Group at Microsoft.

Quote:

Second question. What´s the difference.?

Quote:

Originally Posted by amirm

A lot.

. Next and last question!

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